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Not Every River by Robbi Mccoy
It’s the hottest city in the U.S., and it’s not just the weather that’s heating up.Kim Gatlin, ambitious archaeologist and college professor, is taking the spring semester off to do a survey of a remarkable rock art site in Yuma, Arizona. The wild remote desert also holds gun-toting locals and desperate refugees, but the biggest hazard proves to be Bureau of Land Management geologist Claudine “Randi” Randall. Their mutual appreciation of the petroglyphs ought to bring them together, but Kim’s academic goals and Randi’s sense of ownership have them clashing from the word go.Randi, a tough girl whose fears about her past haunt her every move, is reluctant to acknowledge the other type of sparks that fly whenever she and Kim are forced into each other’s company. Professional resentment seems only to fan the heat threatens to burn them both.The beauty and mystery of the Sonoran Desert provide the vibrant backdrop for Robbi McCoy’s (Waltzing at Midnight, Songs Without Words) passionate story of two women forced to question everything they thought they knew about themselves before they can risk their fiery hearts on the biggest gamble of all.
Mass Market Paperback
First published August 17, 2010
9 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Robbi McCoy
16 books42 followersFrom the author's website:
I was born and live in Northern California equidistant between the Pacific Ocean and the Sierra Nevada mountains. In addition to writing, I enjoy hiking, gardening, cooking, and theater. I am employed by a major west coast distribution company as a computer specialist and web designer.
Having dreamt of being a writer from a very young age, I have published poems, short stories, and numerous nonfiction articles on topics ranging from cooking to computer science. In 2001, I compiled, edited and published Late Bloomers: Awakening to Lesbianism After Forty, a collection of coming-out stories. Combining my love of writing with my favorite outdoor activity, hiking, I co-authored a hiking guide in 2005 with my life partner. This was published by Gem Guides Books.
In 2008, after a hiatus of over a decade, I returned to my first love, fiction, and wrote a lesbian romance novel, which was accepted for publication by Bella Books. I hope to turn this new success into a long-term second career.
I was born and live in Northern California equidistant between the Pacific Ocean and the Sierra Nevada mountains. In addition to writing, I enjoy hiking, gardening, cooking, and theater. I am employed by a major west coast distribution company as a computer specialist and web designer.
Having dreamt of being a writer from a very young age, I have published poems, short stories, and numerous nonfiction articles on topics ranging from cooking to computer science. In 2001, I compiled, edited and published Late Bloomers: Awakening to Lesbianism After Forty, a collection of coming-out stories. Combining my love of writing with my favorite outdoor activity, hiking, I co-authored a hiking guide in 2005 with my life partner. This was published by Gem Guides Books.
In 2008, after a hiatus of over a decade, I returned to my first love, fiction, and wrote a lesbian romance novel, which was accepted for publication by Bella Books. I hope to turn this new success into a long-term second career.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 31, 2019
Not Every River by Robbi McCoy was a very interesting read. It was basically a love letter to Yuma, Arizona and the Mojave desert in particular. The author’s vivid and colorful descriptions of the land, the critters, the vegetation, it's history and the people who live there really made it come alive.
There’s a great deal of knowledge there and McCoy clearly did her homework. I loved reading about the petroglyphs, the ancient indigenous cultures, the work of Kim Gatlin the archaeologist, the gold prospecting, the harsh living conditions because of the intense heat and the job of geologist Claudine “Randi” Randall (what a fucking unfortunate nickname).
There was a nice little plot thread about an old buried treasure and some mysterious happenings on site. The story had a good pace and some interesting secondary characters with their own quirks.
The weakest part was the romance. There was the classic from-love-to-hate slow burn scenario but I missed the sexual tension between Kim and Randi. There was no sizzle. When they finally did come together in chapter 33, their love-fest is only half a page long. Underwhelmed much?
But there was a nice infusion of dyke drama in the form of an ex from Randi’s troubled and inebriated secret past who comes to visit Yuma to throw a spanner in the works. There are misconceptions and presumptions and there’s a voluptuous and very horny rancher who makes a bid for Kim. So not all is lost. Don't read it solely for the romance but for the otherwise entertaining and well written story.
f/f fade to black
Themes: Yuma, Mojave Desert, Tilley hat, AA meetings, demons from the past, petroglyphs, Hohocam, the bar toss confusion, buried treasure.
4 stars
There’s a great deal of knowledge there and McCoy clearly did her homework. I loved reading about the petroglyphs, the ancient indigenous cultures, the work of Kim Gatlin the archaeologist, the gold prospecting, the harsh living conditions because of the intense heat and the job of geologist Claudine “Randi” Randall (what a fucking unfortunate nickname).
There was a nice little plot thread about an old buried treasure and some mysterious happenings on site. The story had a good pace and some interesting secondary characters with their own quirks.
The weakest part was the romance. There was the classic from-love-to-hate slow burn scenario but I missed the sexual tension between Kim and Randi. There was no sizzle. When they finally did come together in chapter 33, their love-fest is only half a page long. Underwhelmed much?
But there was a nice infusion of dyke drama in the form of an ex from Randi’s troubled and inebriated secret past who comes to visit Yuma to throw a spanner in the works. There are misconceptions and presumptions and there’s a voluptuous and very horny rancher who makes a bid for Kim. So not all is lost. Don't read it solely for the romance but for the otherwise entertaining and well written story.
f/f fade to black
Themes: Yuma, Mojave Desert, Tilley hat, AA meetings, demons from the past, petroglyphs, Hohocam, the bar toss confusion, buried treasure.
4 stars
January 25, 2018
This is my second book by this author that I've read. I prefer the first I read. Mostly because the focus in that book was more on the science fiction/time travel/mystery plot line, and not really much at all on the couple - that was a driving force for the actions of one of the lead characters, but there wasn't much in the way of romance (for reasons).
Here? Well, the main focus was the romance. And, unfortunately, it failed to work for me. For many reasons. Sure, there was a very interesting archaeological story to follow, but it didn't distract from the lack of chemistry seen between the two women.
Rating: 2.92
January 24 2018
Here? Well, the main focus was the romance. And, unfortunately, it failed to work for me. For many reasons. Sure, there was a very interesting archaeological story to follow, but it didn't distract from the lack of chemistry seen between the two women.
Rating: 2.92
January 24 2018
July 29, 2023
3 stars
I am not a fan of cheating, so the implications that Randi did so in the past made me like her character a lot less than I would've otherwise.
Other than that the MCs were fine, I guess.
Just like the book.
Fine.
Nothing more, nothing less.
I am not a fan of cheating, so the implications that Randi did so in the past made me like her character a lot less than I would've otherwise.
Other than that the MCs were fine, I guess.
Just like the book.
Fine.
Nothing more, nothing less.
February 14, 2019
I curled up with my cats and creature comforts during this year's "snowpocalypse". Just before the frozen front swept into town, I finished Robbi McCoy's "Not Every River". I eagerly tucked into this contemporary romance set in rural Arizona and starring Claudine "Randi" Randall, a geologist employed by the local Bureau of Land Management, and Kim Gatlin, an archaeologist and university professor. It's the second McCoy novel I've read and I love her strong/vulnerable scientists who find themselves grappling with personal and professional challenges. (If you're looking for another remote setting featuring scientists, read "Melt"). If you're looking for a respite from chilly winter climes and frozen hearts, dive into this satisfying and immersive contemporary romance.
*Full review at Omnivore Bibliosaur
*Full review at Omnivore Bibliosaur
March 5, 2019
3.5 star rating
A little Tom & Jerry squibble and then the force of attraction becomes too irresistible to fight. Nice story...but in some cases à little too worded which caused me to skip some paragraphs. I love the geological information and likewise that of the archeology... It was well balanced without coming across as academic.
A little Tom & Jerry squibble and then the force of attraction becomes too irresistible to fight. Nice story...but in some cases à little too worded which caused me to skip some paragraphs. I love the geological information and likewise that of the archeology... It was well balanced without coming across as academic.
February 4, 2018
Kim came into town to do a survey on an archaeological site. This is the town where Randi, the geologist, worked and lived. After finding out one another is into women and spending more time together they start to feel an attraction to one another. The attraction builds until they can't help their attraction anymore.
I thought this book did not have enough development between the two main characters, Randi and Kim. I did not feel their attraction and their sexual tension. I felt like it was not really written well enough for the tension to be felt by the reader. To me, it seemed more like they just starting hooking up than this love affair that the book stated. It focused a lot on the survey of the site and other aspects of their life, which wouldn't have been bad if their character development progressed. I never really would have guessed they had feel in love by how the book was written. This is not a book I would recommend.
I thought this book did not have enough development between the two main characters, Randi and Kim. I did not feel their attraction and their sexual tension. I felt like it was not really written well enough for the tension to be felt by the reader. To me, it seemed more like they just starting hooking up than this love affair that the book stated. It focused a lot on the survey of the site and other aspects of their life, which wouldn't have been bad if their character development progressed. I never really would have guessed they had feel in love by how the book was written. This is not a book I would recommend.
June 12, 2018
Outstanding romance by Robbi McCoy. Great characters, the story held my interest throughout and the ending was extremely satisfying, expected of course, but delightful in execution. The town of Yuma, where the story takes place, was rich and fascinating. It qualified as a character in it’s own right. I love a well written romance that captures the heat of attraction without turning to erotica. Give me some simple strokes and I can fill in a whole picture, I don’t need or even want graphic details. McCoy does a great job of telling without a lot of showing and it makes me all the more willing to read her work. If you enjoy a solid story with strong believable and capable women, look no further.
July 6, 2017
Buried treasure, petroglyphs, and slow burning love in the dessert.
May 6, 2012
Loved this book.
June 27, 2015
What if any career change would you make if you met your match? That is what Kim was faced with when she met Randi.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews